'Bosso ready to defend ZNA Cup'

DEFENDING champions Highlanders will be hoping to book a semi-final ticket at the expense of Chicken Inn whom they face in the Commander Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Charities Cup at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow. Bosso won last year's edition after beating Dynamos 1-0 in Harare. Highlanders skipper Felix Chindungwe said they are ready to defend the cup.

"Highlanders are celebrating 90 years of existence and winning silverware this season will be a good way to cap the celebratory year. The guys are all raring to go and are aware that Chicken Inn will come at us with all that they have because we beat them in the Easycall Cup final," said Chindungwe.

He said supporters should come in their numbers and see what the new coach Erol Akbay's style of play looks like. Last month Highlanders took part in the Bulawayo Football Festival with Akbay watching from the terraces. The Dutch coach will be in the dugout tomorrow.

Highlanders, who have concluded their 2016 squad, are expected to field a strong side, which is likely to be a mixture of senior players and juniors. Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, defenders Chindungwe, Erick Mudzingwa and Bruce Kangwa as well as striker Knox Mutizwa are expected to combine with new faces against the Gamecocks who were knocked out of the Caf Champions League by Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.

Bosso are also expected to give game time to ZRP FC striker Kasimero Chimbadzwa whom they intend to add to their books.

Youngsters who include midfielder Adrian Silla, strikers Prince Dube and Danmore Chakwana are likely to be in the squad that will face the league champions. On the other hand Chicken Inn will field trialists who include Zambian striker Trust Mkandawire and former ZPC Kariba midfielder Pride Tafirenyika.

The Gamecocks are also expected to give the likes of defenders Guide Goddard and Ben Nyahunzvi, young midfielders Amos Ncube and Nicholas Muchadeyi a run.

Leftback Brian Mbiriri, defensive midfielder Brian Juru and striker Moses Demera are some of the senior players that are likely to feature for Chicken Inn. Meanwhile, 2014 ZNA Charities Cup winners FC Platinum, who excused themselves from the tournament last year, will take on Kelvin Kaindu's How Mine at Mandava Stadium.

FC Platinum are likely to give game time to new recruits who include goalkeeper Wallace Magalane and winger Ishmael Wadi whom they acquired on loan from Bulawayo Chiefs.

How Mine's new signings expected to play at Mandava are leftback Qadr Amini, rightback Praise Tonha, midfielder Pasca Manhanga, Zambian striker Sakala Mukundike, winger Toto Banda, former ZPC Kariba midfielder Tsepo Ranthokoane and defender Kudzai Chideu. Tomorrow Caps United will play host to Harare City at Rufaro Stadium.

Proceeds from the tournament will go to the ZNA charities which are Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre which is in the Eastern Highlands of Nyanga, Army Widows and Orphans Benevolent Fund which caters for financial needs of widows, widowers and orphans of deceased members.

There is also the ZNA Benevolent Fund which seeks to boost troops' morale internally or externally, ZNA Schools Welfare Trust Fund which caters for the various schools that fall under the military institution and finally ZNA Patients Welfare Fund which offers assistance and goodies to members admitted to hospitals and those ill at home.

Fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava)

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields)